Frame for stretching and suspending hides



Patented June 22, 1926.

ATENT QFFCE.

ST. CLAR EDE, OF DUBQUE, IOWA.

FRAME FOR STRETCHNG AND SUSPENDNG HIDS.

Application filed March 18, 1925.

This invention relates to a frame for stretching and suspending hides in stretched position, and is designed primarily for use in connection with an apparatus for stretching hides as disclosed ,in my application, Serial Number 16421, liled March 18, 1925, but it is to be understood that a frame in accordance with this invention, can be employed with any construction of hide stretching apparatus for which it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a frame of the class referred to, having means coacting with suitable supports for revolvably, horizontally and vertically supporting the frame when occasion requires, and further providing the frame with an adjustable hide stretching element and with means for maintaining the hide stretching element in adjusted position, and further with means coacting with a hanger to provide for the vertical suspension of the frame with the stretched hide thereon.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a frame for stretching and suspending hides, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, thoroughly efcient and convenient in its use, readily asseinliled, and comparatively inexpensive to iuaiuifacture.

lilith the foregoing and. other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel constructimi` combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment `of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and ineditications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

ln the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a top plan view of the stretcher frame.

Figure 2 z. ure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3, Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a leide stretching frame, in accordancewith this invention, xft-iniprises tvvt cf end section on line 2 2, lFig- Seral No. 16,422.

bars and the end bars of one pair are indicated at 1, 2, and those of the other pair at 3, 4. The bars 1 and 2 are arranged in superpesed relation, but spaced from each other, and a similar arrangement is set up with respect to the bars 3 and 4. Positioned between the bars of each pair of end bars, at the inner end thereof, is the rear side bar 4 of the frame, and which also constitutes a connecting or suspension bar of narrow form to engage in and coact with pick-up device, not shown, for the purpose of suspending the frame in vertical position with the hide stretched thereon. rlhe bar 4 is not used for nailing hides thereto.

Arranged between the forward end of the bars of each pair of end bars is the forward side bar 5 of the frame, and said bar 5 projects forwardly of the front ends of the pair of end bars for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to. The bar 4 is secured to each pair of end bars by the holdfast devices 6, and the bar 5 is secured to each pair of end bars by the hold-fast devices 7. rlhe bar 4 is materially less in width than the width of the bar 5.

The frame furthermore includes a stationary and. a shiftable inner bar 8, 9 respectively, and said bar 9 is what may be termed a hide stretcher element. The stationary bar 8 entends between the bars of each pair of end bars and is lizredly secured thereto by the hold-fast devices 10. The shiftable bar 9 is arranged between the bars 4 and 8 and extends between the bars of each pair of end bars. The bar 8 is spaced a sliglit distance from the bar 5. The bar 9 is provided with a pair of studs 11, 12, vhich extend therethrough and project from each facethereef. The stud 11 abuts against the inner side edge of the bars 1 and 2, and the stud 12 abuts against the inner side of the end bars 3, 4. The studs 11 and 12 prevent lengthwise shifting of the bar 9 with respect to the bars 4, 5 and 8, or in other words, the studs connect said bar 9 in position and further act as guides there- Vfer when said bar 9 is shifted relatively to the bars 4 and 8. The bar 9, when shifted to stretch the hide, 'is maintained in the pesition to which it has been shifted, and any suitable means may be employedy for this purpose, and of example, a

holding means for the purpose referred to is illustrated as consistingl of two pair of angle irons secured to the outer sides of each pair ot end hars and overlappingl the saine, and coacting With said angle irons if:I a pair ot holding pins.

That pair of angle irons which is se` cured to the hars 1 and 2 is indicated at 13, 14C, and ea'ch oi which is torined throughout with a lengthwise extending row of openings 15, which register with openings 16, torined in the hars 1 and 2, and through each set ot' registering openings is adapted to extend a` holding' pin 17, against which the inner side edge ot the har 9 ahuts. That pair ot' the angle irons which is secured to the hars Sil and il is indicated at 1S. 19, and each ot which is toriuod throughout with a lengthwise extendingl roiv of openings 20, which register with openines Q1. termed in the hars 3 and il', and thro ojh each set ot registering openings is adapted to extend a holding pin 22. against which the :inner side edge ett' the har 9 ahuts.

A reinforcing yoke 23 is positioned centrall of the stretcher trame. overlaps the saine, see Figure 1, and has its ends secured hy hold-tast deyices 24; to the har 5, and said yoke'extends around and opposes the outer side edge oit the har a ot `the traine. See Figure 1. The yoke Q3 is only secured to the `outer side har 5 ot the traine.

Secured to each end of the stretcher trainea centrally thereof, is a casting7 and the casting at one end is indicated at 25, and that at the other end at 26. Each casting has projecting laterally therefrom a polygonalshaped spindle QT, preteral'ily square7 which is adapted to he ren'iovahly mounted on a fiat supporting` ineens, not shown. The said spindles provide tor the revolving oi the traine, and further so that one oit the tlat surfacesthereot` Will act to retain the traine in a `vertical or horizontal position. rl`he spindles 27 are arranged at the longitudinal axis ot the traine.

A suitable tool, not shown. can he einployed for shitting` the har 9 to stretch the frame7 and the rear side har i et the traine has Vsecured to its outer side edge Wear irons 28. The hide when mounted on the stretcher Yframe overlaps the har 5 and is detachahli' secured hy any suitable fastening means to each face of the inner har 9 which consti-- tutes thehide stretching element. Which is shifted by a suitable tool. After the hide hasheen connected to the stretcher traine and stretched through the medium ot the har 9, the latter is maintained in its adjusted position through the medium of the pins 17 and The har 4icoacts With a pick-up device, not shown, tor the purpose ot suspendingthe 'frame in a vertical position with the stretched hide thereon. The har .9, in connection with the shitting means therefor7 not shown7 provides for a uniform stretching' ol". the hide when the latter overlaps the har 5 as both sides of the hide will he stretched simultaneously When the har 9 is shifted.

Primarily the traine is employed for stretching a hide as a Whole. rEhe hide is thrown on the traine hair dou'n, with the center ot the hack runningalong-2' he trent edge ot the har 5 and one halt et the hide is brought down on each side of the tran'ic. hut before expanding har 9, however, the hide is pulled out tor length and is then nailed or tacked in place on hars 5 and 8. The reason that har 5 extends beyond the front ends ot the end hars is that very often, the hide is so long; that it reaches troni end to end ot the traine, in Which case it would go right around the front ends ot the end hars, and it har 5 did not extend beyond the iront ends of the end hars, the corners oi" the end hars would make a pocket in the hide. As the har 5 terms a support for the hide. it necessarily Yfollows that it inust he ot greater width than the har il, as the latter is einployed tor the purpose hereinhet rc set lorth and is tree ot the hide.

Furthermore. as the traine is revolvahly mounted, the hide can he detachably ronnec ed to one side thereof.t and the Ytraino quickly turned so that the attendantcan conveniently attach the other end ot the hide to the other side ot the frame.

lWhen stretcliine` a non-split or Whole hide., the operator has two sides to Work with and the manner ot stretching the hide with the 1"" traine consists in mounting` the frame on a support upon which it can he revolved, and atter so mounting` the 'traine7 supporting the. saine in a horizontal position with the Ytorvfard s har 5 extended towards the operator and the latter then t hide and throu's it With the fur or Agrain side down over the traine, with one-halt ot the hide lying' on 'the upper surface oi" the traine, and the other halt hanging dou' 'troni the outer edge of the har Three nails are then placed near the tail of the hide. The o 3erator then p /ces to the other end and 1alle the neck ont to a position that he con .ers relative in length to the proper Width of the hide. operator then flops the train over .anc the other one-haltl ot the hide Spreads it. self automatically on the other side ott-he traine. The operator then steps to the neck and pulls outthe neck. pulling in a direction diagonally to the length al' the hideg so that the tension i'i'ould he between the three nails on the hutt end of the hide and that part on the neck which the operator is stretching.

The operator then goes to the sh ulder and pulls it diagonally also. the line ot tension heine; hetween the three nails oiigrinallv put in the lultt ot the hide in the other side 1 et 'the traine. The length trom the shoulder mi a kes a to the ruine of the hide should he in propei` relation to the width ot the hide. T he operator now goes to toe buttot the hide and places nails in the edge of this part, but up to this time the operator has placed no nails in the stretcher element 9. The operator nov.y places nails in the stretcher eleinent bringing out the front legs to what is considered the proper position with no tension placed on the stretcher elenient 9, but the operator places the nails to obtain the most perfect shape possible.

After the hide has been nailed on one side oi the trarne, in the i'nanner as referred to, the traine is flopped over by raising the outer edge or" the bar 5. This brings the opposite side ot the traine up on which the other halt ot the hide is lying loose. This halt o1 the hide niust then be nailed out in the saine inanne1 as the other halt and beiore the stretcher clement is shifted. No nails are employed at the center of the hide so that when the stretch-er eleinent is operated, the pull is from the nails on the edge ot the hide on one side ot' the traine to the nails on the edge of the hide on the opposite side of the trarne. Vif hen the stretcher eleinent is operated, both sides of the hide are stretched at the saine tiine. After the nails have been positioned on both sides of the hide, both ends oit the stretcher element are engaged by tongues or other suitable means to adjust said element tor the purpose of stretching the hide, and any wrinkles that have developed through the pulling ot the hide lengthwise disappear on the operation of the stretcher element.

The hide can practically be inade any shape by pulling on it lengthwise before the stretcher element is shit'tcd and by placing the nails in the stretcher element at the proper position.

ln the case ot small. leather hides that can be run through the fles ling and putting-out machines without beingsplit into sides, the method would, ot' course, be the saine as is used on t'nrs or whole hides as referred to.

ln the stretching ot hides that have been cut into sides, the method would be the except that the edge ol the baclr oit the hide, that is where it has been split, would have to be nailed on the bar @ne side would be entirely nailed, then the traine would he tiopped over and the other side ot the leather would be entirely nailed to the stretcher element at the other side ot the trahie. Then the expansion would taire place when the stretcher' element is adjusted in the saine iuanner as if one solid hide was being stretched instead of two halves.

ily employing the traine in the nianner as stated, one is able to save approximately one-third ot the cost ot material going into a coat, a twenty-livc one poune lrip will taire the place of a i'orty pound cow hide and the leather will be shaped so that it will cut advantageously. 'lhe legs oi the hide practically disappear in the body ot the hide. rlhis is accomplished by placing a few nails 0n each side of the leg Where it joins the body. Then when the pressure is'placed on the hide, the legs seeni to crawl up between the nails which are placed about ten to tourteen inches apart, depending on the natural width ot the legs.

in the preceding paragraph it was stated that the legs, when a fur hide is stretched, pr ctically disappear, for the reason that in lirst place tui" hides more exihle than leather hides because Ot a tanning process, and, secondly, because the legs on tur hides e cut oli. just above the linee, whereas in leather hides the whole leg is tanned and is a long narrow strip. rEhe upper part ot the on a leather hide will, ot' course, shift into the body of the hide very much the saine as is the case With a fur hide, but the long shank will still remain, as ot course it is beyond the range o't the pull.

in connection with the several statements with respect to the positioning oli' the nails, it is to he understood that the nails are e1n ployed 'for connecting the hide to the traine.

lt is thought that the inany advantages ot traine tor stretching and suspending hides, in accordance with this invention, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construct-ion can be had which will fall within the scope oli the invention as claimed.

vWhat I claim is:

1. A traine tor the purpose set forth coinprising two pair ot superposed spaced end bars, a pair oi side bars each having one end thereof extending between the bars of a pair of end bars and lixedly secured there-- with, the front bar oit said pair of side bars projecting toii'wardly troni thev iront ends ot said pair et superposed end bars, a stationary .inner ba r having each end thereot extending between the bars o'iI a pair ot end oars and tixedly secured therewith, an adjust-able inner bar having each end slidahly mounted between the bars oli a pair end hars and constituting a hide stretching eleinent, means for maintaining said adjus able har in adjusted position, and a spindle projecting troni each pair ot end bars and disposed at the longitudinal center ol'v the trarne.

2. A traine t'or the purpose set t'orth co1nprising end and side bars liXedly secured to gether and a stationary and an adjustable inner bar, the front bar ot' said pair ot side bars projecting forwardly troni the trent ends ott said end bars, said stationary 'incr bar lixedly secured to said end bars and said adjustable bar slidably engaging .with the end bars and constituting a hide stretching element, means carried by the end bars tor maintaining` said adjustable bar in adjusted position, and a reinforcing yoke overlapping one side bar and having its ends tiXedly secured to the other side bar intermediate the ends ol'v the latter.

3. A trame tor the purpose set forth coinprisingtwo iair ot superposcd spaced end bars, a pair ot side bars each havingone end thereotl estendingz,` between the bars a pair ot end bars and lifiedly secured therewith, the front bar ot said pair ot side bars projectingl forwardly tron'i'the rcnt ends ot said pair ot superposed end bars. a stationary inner bar having' each end thereot e1;- tendinp; between the bars ot a `pair ot cud bars and lixedly secured therewith7 an adjustable. inner b: having each end slidably mounted between the bars ot a pair ot end bars and constituting a hide stretching eicment, means tor maintaining' said adj ust-able bar in adjusted position, and a reintoreingV yoke overlapping one side bar and having its ends lixedly secured to the. other side bar intermediate the ends ot the latter.

4, A trame tor the purpose set torth comprising end and side bars lixedly secured together and a stationary and an adjuf-stablo inner bar, the front bar ot said lair ot side bars projecting' 'torwardly 'trein the trent ends ot said end bars, said stationary inner. bar lixedly secured to said end bars and said adjustable bar slidably engaging with the end bars and conStitutiirl` a hide stretching` element, said adjustable bar interposed between said tired inner bar and the rear bar, means carried by each pair ot end bars tor inaintainingv said adjustable bar in adjusted position, and a reinforcing` yoke overlapping one side bar and having its ends lisedly secured to the other side bar intermediate the ends ot the latter.

A trame tor the purpose set forth comprising end and side bars i'iiedly secured together and a stationary and an adjustable inner bar`r the front bar ot said pair ot side bars projecting forwardly from the 'front ends ot'said end bars? said stationary inner bar tixedlysecured to said end bars and said adjustable bar slidably eny ng with the end bars and constituting; a si ieistretching` element, said adjustable bar interposed between said lined inner bar and the rear bar, means carried by the end bars tor maintaining` said adjustable bar in adjusted position, aspindle projecting trom each pair ot end bars and disposed at the longitudinal center ot the trame, and a reinforcing; yole overlapping one side bar and having; its ends tixedly secured to the other side bar intermediate the ends or the latter.

6. A trame for the purpose set forth comprisinf:l` two pair ot snperposed spaced end bars.y a pair of side bars each havingone ltenacia end thereof extending between the bars ot a pair ot end bars and tixedly secured there- Tith1 the front bar o1" said pair ot-side bars projecting toiwardly trom the front ends ot said pair ot superposcd end bars, a stationary inner bar having each end thereof eX tending between the bars ot a pair ot end bars and tixedly secured therewith, an adjustable inner bar having each end slidably mounted between the bars of a pair ot end bars and constituting a hide stretching; element, means Yfor maintainingl said adjustable bar in adjusted position, a spindle projecting itroin each. pair oit end bars and disposed at the longitudinal center ot the trame, and a reintorcina' yoke overlapping one side bar and havingl its ends ixedly secured to the other side bar intermediate the ends ot the latter.

C7. A trame tor the purpose set forth comprising;` end and side bars liredly secured to' gether and a stationary and an adjustable inner bar.. said stationary inner bar tixedly secured to said end bars and said adj ustable bar slidalfly engaging with the end bars and constitutinu` a hide stretching' element, means carried by l ach pair ot end bars t'or maintaining', said adjustable bar in adjusted position, a spindle projecting' trom each pair ot end bars and disposed at the longitudinal center ot tbe trame, and a reinforcing yoke overlapping one side bar and having' its ends tinedly secured to the. other side bar intermediate the ends ot the latter.

A traine tor the purpose set .torth comng end and side bars tirredly secured toaether and a stationary and an adjustable inner bar, said stationary inner bar i'iredly secured to said end bars and said adjustable bar ,C Aably engaging' with the end bars and constituting* a hide stretching element1 means carried by the end bars tor maintainino' said adjustable bar in ad'iusted position` said adjustable bar positioned between said stationary bar and the rear side bar-ot the trame? and said rear side bar being ot materially less width than the forward side bar and constituting a connecting means when the trame is vertically suspended.

9. A. trame tor the purpose setr forth coinarising two pair ot' superpesed spaced end aars, a pair ot side bars each having;a vone end thereof extending between the bars ot a pair ot end bars and tixedly secured therewith, stationary inner bar having); each end thereot 'extending between the bars of a pair ot end bars and tixedly secured therewith, an adjustable inner bar having each end slidably mounted between the vbars ot a pair ot end bars and constituting; a bide stretching;

element, means for maintaining said adjust? able bar in adjusted position, said adjustable bar positioned between said stationary bar i than the forward side bar and constituting a connecting` means when the traine is Vertically suspended.

10. A traine for the purpose set forth comprising end and side bars iixedly secured together and a stationary and adjustable inner bar, said stationary inner bai' iixedly secured to said end bars and said adjustable bar slidably engagging,- with the end bars and constituting a hide stretching element, nieans carried by the end bars 'for maintaining said adjustable bar in adjusted position7 the forward side bar of said traine projecting forwardly it'roni the pairs of end bars.

ll. A hide stretching traine con'iprising end and side bars ixedly secured together and a stationary and an adjustable inner bar, the rear side bar constituting a connect ing' ineans of a Width to coact with a piek up device to suspend the traine with thehide secured to said inner bars and overlapping` said front side bar in stretched condition, said front side bar projecting tor- Wardly 'troni the front ends of the end bars to overcome the formation oit pockets in the hide when the latter overlaps said iront side bar, said stationary inner bar fined to the end bars and opposing said front side bar7 Said adjustable bar slidably connected With the end bars and opposing the rear side bar and constituting a hide stretchingl element, and nieans for maintaining said adjustable bar in adjusted position.

12, A hide stretching' frame comprising end and side bars tine/diy secured together and a stationary and an aejustable inner bar, the rear side bar constituting a connecting; ineens oi a width te coast with a pick up device to .suspend the traine with the hide. secured to said inner bars and overlapping said trent side bar in stretehed condition7 l iront side bar projecting forwardly trom the front ends ot the end bars to overcoine the formation ot pockets in the hide when the latter overlaps said front side bar, said stationary inner bar Vlined to the end and opposing' said iront side bar, said adjustable bar slidably connected with J'he end bars and opposing trie rear side bar and constituting a hide stretching` element7 and ineens for inaintainingl said adjustable bar in adjusted position, each of said end bars tornied oit a pair ot spaced superposed coinpleinental elements7 and a spindle se- Cured to the outer sides of each pair of ineinbers.

En testimony whereof, l aliix my signature hereto` ST. CLAIR EDE. 

